Edmond Oreilly MAMScBACP Senior Accred.

About me

My Feelings about Counselling

Counselling is about creating a safe place where you can explore without fear problems that have arisen in your life. I have found that by building a relationship based on respect, acceptance, trust and empathy that it becomes possible to understand how and where difficulties have arisen.

I feel very privileged to have been able to work with and be trusted by hundreds of clients over the eighteen years of practice. It has been hugely rewarding to have been able to assist others face, understand, acknowledge and finally manage their difficulties.Common questions asked about counsellingHaving taken the first very difficult step in deciding to see a counsellor you may have difficulty in deciding who to see. What kind of counsellor can help? how long will it take? I am progressively convinced that the relationship between client and therapist is the most important part of the counselling process. It seems the model of counselling is less important than the personal relationship between client and counsellor. It is basic that you feel that the counsellor will be totally trustworthy and that they have appropriate qualifications and experience. Perhaps it is even more important that you can work with them. That you sense empathy as well as understanding

HOW LONG SHOULD COUNSELLING TAKE?

In my experience the length of time varies considerably depending upon the nature of the problem and what the client is seeking to achieve. Frequently a few sessions is sufficient to resolve difficulties. When working for BUPA I worked to a Six session contract. I have to say that this met the needs of many clients but not all. Some issues are deep rooted and need much longer work which requires a Psychodynamic approach which involves an exploration of childhood relationships and the general experience of growing up in order to understand when and how difficulties arose and how they relate to present life.

Training, qualifications & experience

Before training as a counsellorI was a teacher of sociology and pastoral head of year. While teaching I completed an MA in the psychological aspects of learning and I followed a two year course on the Emotional Aspects of Learning at the Tavistock Clinic in London. It was this experience that led to my training in counselling.MY TRAINING1992 - 1994 Diploma Psychodynamic Counselling, Birkbeck college, London University1995 - 1996 MSc Psychodynamic Counselling Birkbeck college, London University1999 - 2001 Post Graduate Cert. Couple and Marital Therapy London Marriage Guidance2005 - 2006 Certificate in counselling supervision Sussex university.

2000 Accredited BACP member2005 Senior Accredited BACP member

Further TrainingSince 1994 I have attended numerous short courses, workshops and colleague study groups. These have included studies on CBT, Person Centred Therapy, Brief Focused Therapy, Systemic Therapy.

Tutoring counsellingI have tutored CPCAB diploma courses(ten years) I have also tutored brief introductory courses in Varndean College. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the complexities of the counselling process.

MY EXPERIENCEI have eighteen years experience of working with all ages, children as young as seven to adults 70+, with people drawn from all walks of life, with different sexual orientation, European and non European. I work with individuals, couples and families.

I have worked for the NHS, the Children's Society, London School of Law and in colleges and schools. I now work exclusively in private practice in Brighton.

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I am a trained clinical supervisor. I particularly enjoy this side of my work. I offer supervision in my private practice.I have worked in a voluntary capacity for the charity 'Mankind' for a year.My work with couples frequently involves conflict resolution. I feel that counselling is enormously helpful for those who want to stay together but also for those who have decided to part. This is a massive decision and demands time and space to explore.Finding away to separate with mutual acceptance and understanding is crucial to dependent children as well as to future relationships.

I have many years of working with young people of all ages, both as counsellor and teacher. I have a natural empathy for the difficulties that they struggle to deal with.I always welcome the opportunity of working with families and indeed my whole background is particularly relevant to this work. I have enjoyed the work and find the family dynamic very interesting, in particular the impact of the extended family and it's emotional inheritance.

Further information

My original training was in the Psychodynamic model of therapy. This approach has a proven record of providing positive results. In my experience, however, I have found that a rigid Psychodynamic approach does not meet the needs of all clients. I believe the more humanistic person centred approach with its emphasis on empathy, warm regard and non judgment is sometimes enough.

Further in my short term focused work I have successfully made use of a Cognitive Behavioural approach. This approach challenges the negative underlying thoughts that can govern our feelings. It is particularly useful in working with anxiety and depression.

REFLECTION ON MY CLIENTS

I am constantly impressed by the courage and will to heal of people who have been hurt and damaged by relationships, accident or by wrong decisions made in early life. I often feel privileged to be in a position to provide a safe place where the inner self can be explored, difficulties confronted and lost confidence regained. It is rewarding to work with people and to witness their rediscovery of their own inner counsellor.